Choosing the Service Provider

First, we chose to go with the Verizon network for our cellular Internet service. We’ve found Verizon to have the most reliable coverage across country. That’s not to say it’s perfect! But, on average, it’s better than the other providers. And, since we already had AT&T service on our cell phones, this gives us a better chance of having some kind of access to the Internet no matter where we are.

About a year ago a friend told us about a company called Millenicom that re-sells Verizon data plans. You’re on the Verizon network, you have a Verizon device, you pay a lot less than Verizon would charge, and you have access the the Millenicom customer service – which is a far better than Verizon’s voicemail hell.

We’re paying $90 a month for a 20GB plan and … as long as I don’t play Pandora Radio all day (oops!) … that’s enough data for both of us.To get set up, you need to purchase the device ($99), pay an activation fee ($49), and cover the shipping ($15).

Boosting the Signal

Have you ever noticed that jaunty little antenna on the roof of our motorhome?

Many RVers are retired or on vacation and they’re looking to get disconnected for whatever period of time they can manage. So, they take off for the woods … or the other side of the mountain … or down by the river – places you’d go to get away and relax. They also tend to have iffy cell coverage.

Since that’s where the RV parks are, that’s were we go, too … but when it comes to cellular Internet, signal strength equals speed, so we’ve done what we can to give ours a boost.

In the photo above, you’ll notice that our Verizon jetpack (which is about the size of 20 stacked credit cards) is sitting in a little cradle. That’s a Wilson Sleek 4G signal booster that we bought from PowerfulSignal.com for $149. When you stick the jetpack in there, you can actually see the signal strength indicator pop up a bar or two. It came with a little magnetic antenna, but attaching it didn’t add much signal strength, so we went for the big boy …

The Wilson RV Trucker Antenna is also available from PowerfulSignal.com, and costs $49. It picks up the cellular signal, amplifies it, and passes it down a cable to the power booster cradle. The cradle then amplifies the signal again and when the jetpack device picks it up, it has a much stronger (and therefore, faster) connection.

This antenna did require finding a way to get the cord from the roof down to the cradle. In the old Winnebago, we found a way in through a vent – but it wasn’t that easy in the new motorhome.

When it became clear that installation was going to require drilling a hole in the roof, we decided to have a professional do the job. The cable comes through the ceiling, into a cabinet, out a ventilation slot, and connects to the cradle.

If you’re putting together a setup like ours, the last little thing you’ll need is the adapter that allows you to charge the Internet receiver directly from the power booster, so you only have to plug into one electrical outlet. The little Wilson Cellular Micro USB to Micro USB cable will do the trick for $10.

Given that this equipment is giving us the freedom to work from the road, it feels like a great investment!

Congratulations, Lauren! That sounds like great fun. Since I wrote this post Verizon bought Millenicom, so now we have a data plan directly through Verizon. The good news is that, just in the past few months, most of the cell carriers (including Verizon) have introduced plans with no roaming charges for Canada and Mexico – so using the Internet should be getting significantly easier! You can find more information on Verizon’s international offerings here: http://www.verizonwireless.com/land…/international-travel/Safe travels!

I’m glad I found this post. We’re planning a long-term trip across Canada and we will need wireless internet coverage so my husband can continue to work remotely. Do you have any experience or tips using your wireless plan(s) in Canada?

Great question, Norma – and a good reminder that I need to update this post! We are using Verizon and it’s working out quite well. We were able to sign up for a plan when they were running a “double your data” promotion, so we ended up with the same size plan for only a little bit more than we were paying Millenicom. And, if we go over our data allowance (which happens occasionally), Verizion just charges us a bit more, whereas Millenicom used to shut off our Internet. I’d say I’m equally happy with the options and service at Verizon. I hope that helps!